Cabinet pants press

ABSTRACT

A one lay cabinet pants press comprising nested outer and inner bucks about which the pants waist portion can be dressed and held by overlying lap clamps, the lap clamps having a nominal clamping force for quick and accurate pants dressing under the clamps and a large clamping force for securely holding the dressed pants, the inner buck having a single intermediate support whereupon separation of the inner and outer bucks automatically expands the pants uniformly across the upper waist and lower seat portions thereof, cuff grippers and supporting parallel arm linkage therefor suitable to move the grippers to a dressing position near the waist bucks and an inspection position and a pressing position each further spaced from the waist bucks where the pants legs are drawn lengthwise and a brake device across the linkage effective to hold the pants legs as drawn, carriage support for the waist bucks, another parallel arm linkage supporting the grippers aligned with the waist bucks, structure connecting the carriage support and other linkage together suitable for moving them as aligned in unison between an outer dressing position and an inner pressing position, a fly press carried by the waist bucks to move between a dressing position offset from the buck and a pressing position opposing the buck, and structure tying this movement of the fly press in unison to the buck carriage support.

United States Patent [72] Inventors David L. Radford;

Paul W. Frisby. Salt Lake City: Francisco Muniz Filho. Taylor-milk, Utah [2]] AppLNo. 18,215 [22] Filed Mar. 10,1970 1451 Patented May 18, 1971 [73] Assignee McGraw-Edison Company Elgin,lll.

[54] CABINETPANTSPRESS 24Claims,9DrawingFigs.

[52] U.S.Cl 223/73 [Sl] lnt.Cl ..D06cl5/10. D06f 59/00. D06f 71/00 [50] FieldofSear-ch ..223/57,66. 70,7274',38/1417,5,22,21

[56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 3,484,028 12/1969 McMillan 223/73 3,484,820 12/1969 McMillan... 223/57 3,486,667 l2/l969 McMillan... 223/57 3,503,545 3/1970 McMillan... 223/57 3,502,250 3/1970 McMillan 223/73 Primary Examiner-Jordan Franklin Assistant ExaminerGeorge \I Larkin Attonze v-Charles F. Lind ABSTRACT: A one lay cabinet pants press comprising nested outer and inner bucks about which the pants waist portion can be dressed and held by overlying lap clamps. the lap clamps having a nominal clamping force for quick and accurate pants dressing under the clamps and a large clamping force for securely holding the dressed pants. the inner buck having a single intermediate support whereupon separation of the inner and outer bucks automatically expands'the pants uniformly across the upper waist and lower seat portions thereof. cuff grippers and supporting parallel ann linkage therefor suitable to move the grippers to a dressing position near the waist bucks and an inspection position and a pressing position each further spaced from the waist bucks where the pants legs are drawn lengthwise and a brake device across the linkage effective to hold the pants legs as drawn, carriage support for the waist bucks, another parallel arm linkage supporting the grippers aligned with the waist bucks, structure connecting the carriage support and other linkage together suitable for moving them as aligned in unison between an outer dressing position and an inner pressing position, a fly press carried by the waist bucks to move between a dressingposition offset from the buck and a pressing position opposing the buck, and structure tying this movement of the fly press in unison to the buck carriage support.

CABINET PANTS mass One lay cabinet pants presses are popular and quite suitable in commercial laundering or garment manufacturing plants for pressing or finishing in a single operation a complete pair of pants. Conventionally, the press has been used only on wash type pants, but it need not necessarily be limited to same. Several drawbacks exist in available commercial equipment of this type, the drawbacks relating generally to operator convenience and safety and the quality and speed of finishing.

The subject invention relates to a cabinet pants press of the type mentioned having several significant improvements regarding operator convenience and safety in dressing pants on the press before the finishing cycle and removing them thereafter, and ultimately the quality and speed of pants finishing on the press.

The main object of this invention is to provide a one lay type cabinet pants press on which a pair of pants can be easily and safely dressed, inspected and redressed if needed, all prior to the finishing cycle, and from which the pants can be easily removed without wrinkling after the finishing cycle.

To this end, the press has a two piece waist buck assembly including an outer buck adapted to underlie the pants sides and front fly and an inner buck adapted to move between the dressing position nested within the outer buck and the inspecting and pressing position shifted against the rear of the overlying pants. The overall small size of the nested bucks and properly located and actuated clamps greatly assist the operator in quick and accurate dressing of the open waist portion of the pants over the waist buck. Specifically, a rear spring clamp on the inner buck readily receives the rear waist band slid thereunder, while spaced lap clamps initially biased lightly against the buck provide for quick and accurate pants dressing thereunder but thereafter firmly hold the pants as dressed when greater force is applied on the clamps. In addition, the entire waist buck is moved between an inner pressing position adjacent the hot press faces and an outer dressing position well spaced from the press faces for safer and cooler dressing. The hot fly press is tied in with the buck movement and it too is shifted completely out of alignment with the pants lap area in the dressing position for greater operator safety and convenience. The inner buck is carried on a single intermediate connection to pivot as required to draw both full and tight cut pants uniformly and without unsightly strain lines.

The press also has cuff grippers which are supported on interconnected pairs of parallel arm linkages. By connecting one pair of arm linkages to the buck carriage, the grippers are at all times kept aligned with the waist buck to move also between the outer dressing and inner pressing positions. By moving the other arm linkage relative to the common pivot element between the linkages, the grippers are moved to a dressing position convenient heightwise to the operator and close to the waist buck and the pressing position and inspec tion position whereat the pants legs are drawn tight. A brake mechanism between the pivot element and the other arm linkage, when engaged, holds the pants legs as drawn lengthwise. There is also provided a separate leg buck that fits between the pants legs in the pressing position and against which the opposite press faces move.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pants press of the type mentioned which has improved quality of finishing.

In this regard, quality of finishing is improved because the pants when once dressed are firmly held and are not permitted to shift as the buck is moved about from its dressing position to its pressing position. MOreover, the disclosed structure provides that the pants can be inspected as dressed with the legs drawn tight in exact underlying relationship to the waist buck and with the waist fully extended on the separable bucks, but at a location convenient to the operator and well spaced from the hot press faces. During the finishing cycle, the lap clamps are completely withdrawn from the pants so that no telltale clamp marks are left on the pants after finishing. Thereafter, the clamps are automatically repositioned lightly against the pants to minimize wrinkling as the buck is moved from the pressing position to its outer unloading position.

Another object of this invention is to provide suitable automatic and sequential controls which can cycle the press in a particular manner suitable for accommodating the easy and safe dressing of the pants including if desired an inspection position, and suitable thereafter for moving all components in the proper relationship to instigate and conclude the finishing cycle including removing the lap clamps before the finishing cycle and automatically returning them after the cycle and withdrawing the grippers after the finishing cycle.

These and other objects will be more fully appreciated and understood after reviewing the following specification; the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein:

FIG. I is a front perspective view of the subject cabinet pants press shown in a pants dressing position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the press shown in a different dressing position, with most of the cabinet being broken away for sake of clarity;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 2, except showing the press in a pressing position;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view as seen generally from line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view, as seen generally from line 5-5 of FIG. 3, showing the pants legs holding and extending mechanism;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the leg gripping mechanism, as shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the mechanism shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the waist bucks and related components; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of electric and air circuits suitable for controlling the subject in a preferred manner.

In FIG. I, the press 10 is shown to include a frame or cabinet 12; a buck mechanism 14 suitable for receiving and supporting thereon the waist portion of a pair of pants; a mechanism I6 suitable for receiving and securing thereon the legs of the pants; and a leg buck 18 suitable during pressing for moving between the legs of the pants as dressed.

The press further includes opposing press faces 20 that close against the pants dressed on the waist buck 14 and leg buck I8, and a press head 22 that overlies the fly area of the pants on buck 14. In addition, a clamp 24 is shown that holds the front lap portion of the pants against the waist buck 14. Control panels 26, 27 and 28 are located convenient to the front of the press 10, and safety stop bars 30 lie forwardly adjacent the press faces 20 to minimize the possibility of the press operator accidentally getting caught between the closing press faces. The specific controls will be disclosed in greater detail later.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the waist buck I4 is seen to include an outer waist buck 32 and an inner waist buck 34. The outer waist buck 32 actually comprises two spaced interconnected plates 36 having appropriate holes 37 therein to provide for through passage of steam and/or air, the plates being exteriorly covered by conventional porous padding 38. The space between the plates 36 is generally open other than across the front of the buck where an appropriately shaped interconnecting web defines a front V-shaped trough 40 that receives the fly area of the dressed pants. The inner buck 34 is adapted to move between the plates, from a retracted position (FIG. 2) whereat the open waist part of a pair of pants can be positioned over only the outer buck 32, to an extended position (FIG. 3) whereat the waist part of the pants is drawn laterally tight about the bucks.

The inner buck 34 is supported from the outer buck 32 by rollers 41 secured on inner buck frame 42, which rollers cooperate with tracks 43 of the outer buck structure 47. The inner buck is moved along the tracks by a power cylinder 44 secured as at 46 to outer buck structure 47 and fitted as at 48 within slotted inner buck bracket 50. The inner buck likewise is formed of spaced interconnected plates 52 which are suitably covered with conventional padding 53, the plates 52 having holes 54 therein to provide for the through passage of steam and/or air. The inner buck plates 52 are in part interconnected by a pin 56, and the inner buck frame 42 has an up wardly shaped socket 57 that fits between the plates 52 and cooperates with the pin 56 to support plates 52 rotatably. A leaf spring 58 connected to the frame 42 covers the socket to retain the pin 56 locked in place.

The inner buck 34 is moved by cylinder 44 relative to the outer buck 32 between the dressing position (FIG. 2) almost entirely nested within the outer buck and the pressing position (FIG. 3) where pants dressed over the bucks is fully expanded. The intermediate pivot support of the inner buck to the outer buck is effective to equalize tension in the pants on opposite sides of the pivot, across both the waist and the seat, regardless of the cut or style of pants. A leaf spring 59 (FIGS. 2 and 3) connected to the buck plates 52 and open downwardly adjacent the plates receives the rear waistband section of the pants to help dress and hold the pants on the bucks.

The clamp mechanism 24 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 8) includes a frame 62 which is secured to outer buck structure 36 as by bolts (not shown) at 63. Clamp fingers 64 are part of a bellcrank which is pivoted at pin 65 to the frame and actuated as at 68 by a power cylinder 66 connected to the frame 62 at 67. The clamp fingers 64 are spaced to engage the buck crests 69 adjacent the trough 40 to trap the lap part of pants dressed on the buck 32. In the clamp released position, the cylinder 66 elevates the fingers 64 entirely off the buck 32.

The fly press assembly 22 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 8) includes spaced plates 72 secured rigidly to the outer buck assembly 32 as at 73. The plates define opposed elongated vertical slots 74 which slidably receive pin 75 that in turn pivotally supports thereon a fly press lever 76. A fly press head 77 is connected to one end of the lever and power cylinder 78 is connected to the other end 79 and mounted also at pin 80 to the frame 72. Clockwise movement of the lever is limited where the power cylinder 78 is fully contracted, and tension springs 81 connected between the pins 79 and 80 tend to maintain the lever in this position. The pin 75 can slide vertically in the slots 74 from the elevated position (FIGS. 1. 2 and 8) to the lowered position (FIG. 3), whereupon the lever 76 is rotated about the pivot 75 because cylinder 78 is bottomed out and the distances between the pivot connections 79 and 80 cannot otherwise be reduced. In the lower position, the press head overlies the buck trough 40 and is only slightly spaced therefrom. Expansion of cylinder 78 then urges the press head against the fly area of the pants dressed over the buck trough 40.

The outer buck 32 and spaced plates 90 are secured together as at 73 and 91, and rollers 94 mounted from the plates straddle parallel rods 96 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 8) supported by the frame 12. Consequently, the buck assembly 14 including the inner and outer bucks, the clamp 24 and fly press 22 can be moved outwardly of the frame 12 to a dressing position (FIG. 2) and rearwardly into the frame to the pressing position (FIG. 3). Power cylinder 100 connected to the frame plate 90 at 101 and to the stationary frame 12 at 102 is used to move the waist buck assembly 14.

It will be noted that vertical movement of the fly press head 77, particularly at pivot pin 75, is caused responsive to the movement of the buck carriage assembly along the rods 96. This tie in is caused by a cable element 110 which is secured at one end 112 to the frame 12 and at the opposite end to the pin 75. The cable is further wound over the roller 114 connected to the plates 72, which as above noted comprise part of the buck 32. Moreover, cable 115 secured to the outer buck at 116, directed over the pulleys 117 and 118 (FIGS. 2 and 3) connected to the frame 112, and connected at 119 to the cuff and leg holding mechanism 16 ties the movement of the waist buck to movement of the cuff mechanism 16 to be described now.

The cuff mechanism 16 includes a frame element 120 carried by linkage 121 including a pair of parallel arms 122 pivoted at 123 to the element and at 125 to the frame 12, so that the frame element 120 oscillates front to rear of the frame in a nonrotating manner. The cable 115 is connected to this frame 120 as at 119. A spring 130 connected at 131 to one of the links and at 133 to the frame 12 tends to pivot the linkage rearwardly to the position shown in FIG. 3, which movement is permitted only when the waist buck assembly 14 is moved inwardly by cylinder to its pressing position. On the other hand. actuation of power cylinder 100 moves both the waist buck assembly 14 and element outwardly from the pressing position (FIG. 3) to the dressing position (FIG. 2).

The cuff mechanism 16 further includes second pairs of linkage 134 each formed by parallel arms 13S pivoted at 139 to the frame element 120 and at 143 to a cuff expander 142. Power cylinder 145 is connected at 146 to frame 120 and at 148 to a yoke element 150 connected at 151 between extensions of corresponding linkage arms. Expansion of the cylinder 145 elevates the cuff expander plates 142 vertically relative to the waist buck assembly 14, while the cylinder biased yoke 150 permits some relative twisting of the linkages 134 so that limited independent vertical shifting of the expander plates 142 is possible to compensate for various minor length discrepancies between the right and left pants legs.

Each arm 135 is articulated, having a yoke 154 that connects the arm at pin 152 to respective arm extension elements 156 and 157, the connection permitting rotation of the arm about pin 152 while keying the arm and arm extension together against relative movement about pins 139. A bar 158 secured to each lower arm at the yoke 154 provides a mount at 159 for tension spring 160 connected also at 161 to the extension element 157, which spring biases the arm to outwardly diverging alignments (phantom in FIG. 5) as determined by engagement at 163 of the bar 158 with the element 157. The articulated arm construction, normally biased outwardly to diverging positions, clears the center leg buck 18 upon movement between the dressing and pressing positions, while also permits lateral movement of the pants legs against the sides of the leg buck 18 during pressing.

A brake is provided to maintain the linkage 134 of the cuff mechanism 16 locked relative to the frame 120 such that the expander 142 can be set vertically relative to the waist buck 14. The extension element 156 of the upper arm is in the form of a flat plate that fits between spaced faces 168 of the frame element 120 spaced from the pivot 139. A brake shoe 164 is mounted on diaphragm rod 170 to move against or clear of the plate 156, the diaphragm means 172 being secured to one frame element 168. When the diaphragm is adjusted and the shoe moves into frictional engagement with the plate 156, the expander 142 thus becomes locked at that particular vertical alignment relative to the waist buck.

Details of the cuff expanders are disclosed in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 7. The expander 142 includes spaced plates that carry an intermediate piece 174 to slide therein. The intermediate piece 174 has an upstanding finger 175 which is generally parallel to upstanding finger 176 formed as part of the expander plate 142 so that the open pants leg or cuffs can be dressed over these fingers. A power cylinder 178 mounted at 180 to the expander 142 has its cylinder rod 181 connected as by cross element 182 to a rod element 184 that is part of the finger 175, so that the fingers can be separated from one another to tension the cuffs to maintain them on the fingers. A spring 185 is connected between the expander frame 142 and cross element 182 to bias the cuff engaging fingers 175 and 176 to the release position whereat they are only slightly separated from one another so that the cuff comes readily off the fingers.

The center or leg buck 18 is supported on a pair of spaced nonparallel arms 187 and 188 respectively pivoted at 189 and 190 to the frame 12 and at 191 and 192 to the buck. In the upper pressing position (FIG. 3), the leg buck is vertically aligned below the waist buck assembly 14 and above the expanders 142 and disposed heightwise slightly below the crotch of the pants. As the buck is moved to the dressing position (FIG. 2), it not only is lowered but also rotated clockwise and moved rearwardly slightly to a more remote location. Movement of the leg buck is caused by a power cylinder 194 pivoted thereto at 192 and to the frame 12 at 196. A tension spring 198 connected between the frame at 192 (FIG. 3) and the leg buck at 192 helps counterbalance the weight of the buck to minimize the required size of power cylinder 194.

Press face arms 202 (FIG. 4) are pivoted at 203 to the frame 12 and are connected at the forward ends by ball socket 205 to the respective press face 20. Cam followers 208 at the rearward ends of the arms 202 are wedged apart by a cam plate 206 to move the press faces against the waist and leg bucks upon expansion of a power cylinder 210 connected at 211 to the frame 12 and at 212 to the cam plate. Springs 214 connected at 215 to the frame and at 216 to the cam plate tend to remove the cam plate from between the followers 208, and springs 218 connected at 219 to the frame and at 220 to the press heads tend to separate them from the bucks.

A blower 225 (FIGS. 2 and 3) is supported by the frame and operates to draw atmospheric air through inlet 226 and move it through a frame passage 227 into the open hollow sections 229 (FIG. 8) of the waist buck 14 for discharge through the pants dressed over the waist buck. A separable joint 230 is formed in the passage 227 (to allow for the front to rear movements of the buck 14) by a downwardly and forwardly facing annular frame seat 232 (FIGS. 1 and 2) that cooperates with an upwardly and rearwardly facing annular buck assembly seat 234. Damper 236 is pivoted at 237 to the frame effective to control the airflow from the blower 225 to within the buck and power cylinder 238 connected at 240 to the frame and at 242 to the damper automatically opens and closes the damper.

It will be understood that the various press components including, for example, the press heads 20, and intermediate leg buck 18, and fly press head 77 are provided with appropriate heating means in the form typically of steam chambers to which flexible steam inlet and outlet lines are connected for maintaining adequate temperatures. Thus, each recess head chamber 244 (FIGS. 2 and 4) is supplied by inlet and return steam lines 245; leg buck chamber 246 is supplied by inlet and return lines 247; and the fly press head is supplied by inlet and return steam lines 248. The particular details of these components are not shown since such can be any typical prior art construction. Heat exchanger 249 (FIG. 2) is located in the air passage 227 to heat the air discharged to the waist buck, and steam lines 250 are provided therefor.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the schematic control suitable for operating the press in a preferred manner is disclosed. In the control there is noted first an air circuit having a source of high-pressure air generally shown by the arrow and the notation air which is directed through a conventional filter 251, line 252, a pressure regulator 253 to regulated inlet line 254 where a pressure gauge 255 is included. The pressure at line 254 is typically between 80 and lOO p.s.i.g., which is common in commercial presses of this type. Shown also are the various power cylinders previously mentioned including specifically cylinder 194 for lifting the leg buck 18; cylinder 78 for closing the fly press head 77; cylinder 210 for closing the press faces 20; cylinder 238 for controlling the blower outlet damper 236; diaphragms 172 for locking the brake 164 on the linkage 134; cylinder 145 for operating the linkage 134 for heightwise control of the cuff mechanism 16; cylinder 66 for controlling the lap clamp mechanism 24; cylinder 178 for expanding the cuff gripper fingers 175 and 176; cylinder 100 for moving'the buck carriage and related cuff grippers front to rear of the press; and cylinder 44 for moving the inner buck 34 relative to the outer buck 32. A control valve is connected between the regulated inlet air line 254 and each of the cylinder and is electrically operated, pneumatically operated, or mechanically operated.

Specifically, normally closed pneumatically opened valve 258 is connected between line 254 and line 260 to the leg buck cylinder 194 with the actuating side for the valve 258 being connected to line 262 downstream of solenoid control valve 264. The outlet line 262 from valve 264 is directed through a quick exhaust-type valve 266 and line267 to the fly press cylinder 78. After the normally closed valve 264 is opened and upon subsequent closing of the valve, quick exhaust valve 266 vents through the exhaust port 268 rapidly to allow the fly press cylinder 78 to release the head.

Solenoid control valve 270 is located between the inlet 254 and line 271 which is directed through an adjustable needle valve 272, line 273, dump valve 274, needle valve 277 and line 275 to the head closing cylinder 210. The needle valve 272 is adjusted to provide rapid head closing without slamming against the buck, and likewise the needle valve 277 is adjusted to vent cylinder 210 through valve 274 for rapid head opening without bouncing against outward bumpers. Line 273 from a tee is directed also to the separate diaphragms 172 for braking the lifter arm linkage 134 as previously noted. This line 273 is also connected through normally closed valve 282 and line 283 to the blower outlet damper cylinder 238. The valve 282 is controlled mechanically or electrically by means of a cam limit switch actuated when the press heads 20 are nearly completely closed, to ensure that the blower door is opened to admit air to the pants only when the press faces are closed.

The air inlet line 254 connects through control valve 285, line 286, one inlet side of a two-way shuttle valve 288, line 289, a normally closed pneumatically opened valve 290, and line 291 with the cuff lifter cylinder 145. The valve 290 is opened when the control valve 270 is opened by the common outlet line 271. The cuff lifter cylinder 145 has quick dumping at 292 when pressure is relieved from the inlet line 291 to the cylinder. Control valve 295 is in line 296 downstream from an adjustable pressure regulator 298 of the inlet 254, and gauge 299 indicates the pressure in the line. The outlet side of the valve 295 is connected at line 300 to the other inlet side of the shuttle valve 288 for control of the lifter cylinder 145, and to one inlet side of a similar two-way shuttle valve 302 and via line 303 therefrom to the lap clamp cylinder 66. Control valve 305 directly connects inlet line 254 via line 306 to the opposite inlet side of the shuttle valve 302 for high-pressure operation of the lap clamp cylinder 66. It is thus noted that by adjusting regulator valve 298, valves 285 and 305 being closed and the valve 295 being open, adjustable lower pressure can be directed to the cuff lifter cylinder 145 and/or to the lap clamp cylinder 66 to provide the desired lift on the leg grippers and clamping effect on the lap clamps.

A similar adjustable pressure mechanism is provided for the cuff gripper cylinders 178, including adjustable regulator valve 308 connected via line 309, control valve 310, and line 311 to the cylinders 178. A gauge 313 also is provided in outlet line 309. The pressure is adjusted to provide sufficient separation of the cuff expanders within the cuff pants, without causing any damage to the pants, to hold tightly onto the pants legs during the dressing and pressing cycles as required.

The carriage cylinder is double acting so that two inlets are provided for moving the piston under power in opposite directions. In this regard, valve 315 connects inlet line 254 via line 316 to the dressing position side of the carriage cylinder 100, while valve 318 connects line 254 via line 319 to the pressing position side of the cylinder 100. An adjustable needle valve 320 is provided from the exhaust of valve 315 so that the exhaust from the carriage cylinder 100 is regulated to determine the in movement of the carriage to preclude slamming of the structure.

Adjustable pressure regulator 322 is provided from the air line 254 via line 323, valve 325, and line 326 to the waist expander cylinder 44. Gauge 327 is connected to line 323 for visually checking the waist expander pressure. The pressure is adjusted to expand the pants fully at the waist by the rearward movement of the inner buck 34 relative to the outer buck 32 without causing any damage to the pants.

Referring now to the electric side of the control, it includes in addition to the control valves just mentioned, various switches actuated by buttons 28 and 29, safety stop buttons 30, footswitch 31 and others including manual stop cycle c4ntrol 330, the reset start control 331, automatic timer 332, and the timer off control 334. Additionally, the control includes seven independently operated limit switches each mechanically actuated by a press component at a predetermined location relative to its ordinary cycle positions. In addition. six holding relays are used to control the operation of the press from a safety standpoint and from an automatic cycle regulated standpoint.

The control has a conventional power source as indicated which is directed through a main on-off switch 341 and a fuse 342 to the line 343. From this point a safety circuit is provided which controls a normally closed switch CRlb to the main power line 345. The safety control includes the normally closed reset switch 331 connected off line 343 through control relay coil CR1 to line 347 from where three parallel hookups are possible to ground including normally opened contacts CRla, and normally opened rightand left-hand safety stop switches 30R and 30L. if either safety stop switch 30R or 30L is closed, a circuit is completed through the normally closed reset switch 331 and the control relay coil CR1 to energize the control relay and thereby open the normally closed control relay contact CRlb to deenergize line 345 and also close the normally open control relay contact CRla to hold the circuit energized. Consequently once the safety control has been energized, the press will return to its power off position and can only be reset by manually depressing the reset switch 331.

When line 345 is deenergized, all power cylinders are vented and the press position is generally as follows:

The leg buck 18 is lowered, the inner buck 34 is nested within the outer buck, the fly clamp fingers 24 are relaxed and elevated off the buck, the press faces 22 are open, the fly press head 22 is opened but in its lower position opposing the buck, and the buck and the cuff gripping mechanism 16 are thus in the rearward pressing position, the mechanism 16 being lowered and the expanders being relaxed. This position is not of much concern as related to the usual press cycle.

Normally with the safety stop control contacts CR1 closed, the line 345 has power so that a circuit is completed through limit switch LS4 to the lap clamp low-pressure solenoid valve 295 which pressurizes the lap clamp cylinder 66 through the shuttle valve 302 to bias the lap clamp fingers 24 against the buck with only a light holding force. Moreover, a circuit is completed across the normally closed contacts CR5!) to the carriage out solenoid valve 315 to move the buck carriage to the outer dressing position. Consequently, in the normal start up position, the carriage and buck 14 are in the outer dressing position forwardly spaced from the press faces and the lap clamps 24 are urged against the buck with only a moderate dressing force, and the buck 34 is nested within buck 32. At this time the operator is then free to dress the waist portion of the pants on the bucks.

ln dressing pants on the press, the operator typically would hold the pants at the waistband with the pants fly forward, and by shaking the pants or the like open the waist portion and smooth out the pockets so that they dangle inside the pants. Thereafter, the operator fits the open waist portion over the collapsed inner and outer bucks and urges the rear waist portion of the pants beneath the spring clip 59 at the rear of the inner buck 34. Thereafter the operator works the pants around the buck sides smoothing the pants as she goes and fits the front lap portion of the pants under the front lap clamps 24, which are at this time biased against the buck with only a small holding force. Proper dressing of the pants occurs when the fly area fits within the V contour 40 of the outer buck and all waist area wrinkles have been smoothed out. When the waist part of the pants is properly dressed on the buck, the operator actuates the footswitch 31.

Momentary depression of the footswitch 31 completes a circuit across the normally closed limit switch LS5, line 348, the normally closed control relay contacts CR3a, line 349, the footswitch 31, and line 350 to energize the control relay CR2, which thereby closes the control relay contacts CR2a and CRZb. The closed control relay contacts CR2a maintains the control relay CR2 energized in a holding circuit. The closed contacts of CR2b makes line 352 hot which simultaneously energizes the lap clamp high-pressure cylinder 305, the waist expander cylinder 325, and the lift arm high pressure cylinder 285. This admits high-pressure air through the shuttle valve 302 to the lap clamp cylinder 66 and admits adjusted air pressure to the waist expanding cylinder 44 to rearwardly move the inner buck 34 relative to the outer buck operable to draw the waist portion of the pants tightly over the buck. This moreover admits high-pressure air through shuttle valve 288 and the normally open valve 290 to the cufflifter cylinder 145 to elevate the lifter arms and grippers 16 specifically to a height convenient to the operator whereat the cuff pants can be dressed over the ripper fingers 175 and 176, and also admits high-pressure air to the cuff gripper cylinders 178 to bias the fingers 175 and 176 apart such that the pant cuffs when dressed over the fingers will be suitably thereon.

The operator can at this point extend the pants legs and fit them over the expander fingers with the leg seams lined up on the sides and the fingers at the front and rear pants creases. After each leg is dressed on its respective gripper, it is possible to move the press to an inspection position by momentarily depressing only one of the operating buttons 28L or 28R as indicated. This thereby provides a connection from hot line 350 across the normally closed relay contacts CR3b, line 358, the particular closed contact switch 28, line 360 to the control relay coil CR4, which energized relay CR4 then closes the normally open holding relay contacts CR4a to maintain the relay energized. The energized control relay CR4 also opens the normally closed contacts CR4 to deenergize the solenoid valve 285 to close the high-pressure source of air to the cuff lifter cylinder 145. However, since lap clamp low-pressure valve 295 is open and will remain open as long as the press heads 20 are open, the shuttle valve connection 288 provides through the open valve 295 low-pressure air to the cuff lifter cylinder 145. Under this low pressure, the weight of the pants legs, grippers and linkage supports thereof tend to straighten out the pants legs lengthwise to assume the inspection position. Since the buck carriage is still in the forward position well spaced from the hot press faces, the operator has an opportunity to inspect the pants to see if the dress is acceptable.

if the dress is not proper, then the operator can momentarily depress either redress control buttons 29L or 29R which completes a circuit via line 359 and the normally closed limit switch LS2 with control relay CR3. This opens the normally closed contacts CR3a and CR3!) to break the through circuits through to the control relay CR2 and CR4 respectively thereby returning the unit to the initial dressing position where only the light force lap clamp cylinder 295 and carriage out cylinder 315 are under pressure. The operator thus is free to redress the pants as required. The limit switch LS2 is set to be closed at all times when the carriage is out, but is automatically opened when the carriage is no longer in its dressing position so that the redress control is only effective when the buck is in its dressing position.

Assuming the inspection indicated that the pants were adequately dressed, to then initiate the pressing cycle the operator need only simultaneously depress both start buttons 28L and 28R which completes a circuit from the hot line 350 across the normally closed limit switch LS6 and closed switches 28L and 28R to the control relay coil CR5 to energize same. The energized control relay CR5 initially closes the control relay contact CRSa to maintain the control relay energized as well as simultaneously opens the normally closed control relay contact CRSb and closes the normally open control relay contact CRSc. This pressurizes the carriage cylinder in an appropriate manner to move the buck carriage and by cable 115 the underlying pants grippers inwardly into the pressing position. Also through the cable control the fly press is lowered to opposing relationship of the buck.

When the carriage has moved towards its pressing position to the degree required, normally open limit switch LS1 is closed so that a circuit is completed from the hot line 345 across the now closed control relay contacts CRSc and line 370 to energize the leg buck lift and fly press head solenoid valve 264. This thereby admits air under pressure to fly press cylinder 78 to force the fly press head against the front lap area of the pants and it also opens the normally closed valve 258 to admit line pressure to leg buck cylinder 194 to elevate the leg buck into its operative positions between the separate pants legs.

The normally open limit switch LS7 is designed to be closed upon the leg buck being in its elevated operative position such that when it closes a circuit is completed from hot line 366 across the normally closed manual stop switch 330, line 371, across the normally closed timer control switch T1 to energize the control relay coil CR6. This energized control relay closes contacts CR6a to maintain the circuit energized as well as also closes the normally opened control relay contacts CR6b. This starts the timer 332 across the normally closed timer off control switch 334 as well as begins the operation of the blower 225 and registers on the counter 333 the initiation of an operating cycle.

Also energized when the leg buck actuated limit switch LS7 is closed and the control relay CR6 is energized is the brake, blower damper, press head, and lifter control valve 270. Upon the valve 270 opening, high-pressure air is initially restricted by the flow capacity of the needle valve 272 while rapid pressure buildup in line 271 is possible to close the normally opened valve 290. This vents the cuff lifter cylinder 145 through the rapid'dump 292 so that momentarily the cumula tive weights of the linkage arms, the grippers and the pants legs themselves are applied to the pants leg to draw them straight and tight. The needle valve 272 admits air through line 273 to the head closing cylinder 210 and brake diaphragms 172. The roller actuated valve 282 in line 273 is opened by the press heads closing to a specific location almost in pressing proximity to the pants, at which time air is applied to the blower door cylinder 238 to open the blower door damper 236.

The sequencing of these events is rather significant since although the blower is operating, only nominal volumes of air are admitted to the pants buck and specifically are directed through the legs so that the legs do not fully distend because of the internal pressure, and only after the heads 20 close is the blower damper opened completely. Specifically, the press heads are approximately only a one-half inch from closing when the roller valve 282 is opened. Likewise the brakes for the linkage 134 are totally applied to hold the pants in the stretched position, as caused by venting lifter cylinder 145, but no longer permitting them to be stretched lengthwise. When the press heads do close the pressing cycle begins as is determined by the operation of the timer 332.

At this time when the heads close several limit switches are actuated which determine the operative position of several of the components. Specifically limit switch LS3 and LS4 are both opened, limit switch LS3 breaking the circuit to the highpressure lap clamp cylinder 305 and limit switch LS4 breaking the circuit to the low-pressure lap clamp cylinder 295, so that the lap clamps are lifted by the cylinder spring (not shown) completely off of the pants. Since no clamps are present on the pants during the pressing cycle, no telltale clamp marks or indentations are left after finishing...and the engaged fly press head firmly holds the pants in place as dressed on the buck.

The finishing cycle can be concluded by manually depressing the manual stop button 330 or by the timer 332 running out whereby timer contacts Tl open; but in either case the control relay CR6 is deenergized. This closes the control valve 270 which regulates the lifter linkage brakes, blower damper door, and the press heads. Consequently, the press head cylinder 210 is vented out valve 274 at a controlled rate through valve 277 to prevent slamming of the heads against the adjacent structure, the blower door cylinder 238 is vented to close the damper door, and the brake diaphragms 172 are vented to release the lifter linkage. Outward movement of the heads actuates the limit switches LS and LS6, so that control relays CR2, CR4, and CR5 are all simultaneously deenergized. This then vents the gripper cylinder 178 to release thegrippers whereby the cuff retaining mechanism 16 drops out of the pants legs. The vented waist expander cylinder 44 permits the inner buck to once again be spring nested to within the outer buck, and the vented leg buck cylinder 194 and fly press cylinder 78 permit the leg buck to drop as well as release the press head off the buck. The restricted dump valve 320 on the carriage out side of the cylinder precludes rapid and simultaneous out movement of the carriage until, in effect, each previously mentioned component is removed from interference with the carriage.

In this regard the location of the various limit switches and the particular type limit switch, whether it is held closed continuously when a particular position of its controlling component is reached or whether it is only momentarily closed or opened, is selected as required for the circumstance. For example, the limit switch LS5 is normally closed and is opened only momentarily when the press head moves past it to its open position and is thus closed when the press head is opened. This is possible by means of an articulated lever type one-way roller switch. Conversely, the limit switch LS4 is held open whenever the press heads are closed, but closes upon the press heads opening to once again apply the low pressure clamping force to the lap clamps.

At the conclusion of the finishing cycle, the press components are all at the starting positions suited to instigate another pressing cycle. The operator need only then remove the pressed pants on the press and thereafter immediately begin the dressing of another pair of pants for a subsequent finishing cycle.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the particular manual control elements can be located on the press. In this regard, it can be noted that on control panel 26 the release button 330 and manual reset button 331 can be located, as well as timer in dicator 332 and a counter dial 333. A timer off switch 334 is provided also should it be desired to have a cycle operate manually without the benefit of the automatic timer. The control panel 27 has the waist expander regulator 322 as its corresponding pressure gauge 327; the cuff lifter and the leg clamp regulator 298 and its corresponding gauge 299; and the cuff expander regulator 308 and its corresponding gauge 313. Operating buttons 28 and 29 are conveniently located at the front of the machine and at both sides, and the safety bars 30 are located forwardly adjacent the press opening and press heads 20.

We claim:

1. A pants press combination, comprising a frame, opposed press faces supported by the frame, a waist buck assembly, means supporting the waist buck assembly to move relative to the frame between a dressing position forwardly offset from the press faces and a pressing position between the press faces, a pants leg gripper, an intermediate element and a parallel arm linkage connected at opposite ends respectively, between the element and the gripper and extended transverse to the pants leg, power means operable between the intermediate element and arm linkage for moving the gripper between a dressing position close to the waist buck and a pressing position spaced further therefrom whereat the pants leg is drawn lengthwise to full length, means for supporting the intermediateelement to move relative to the frame in a direction generally like that of the waist buck assembly, and means mechanically linking the waist buck assembly to the intermediate element effective to move the gripper to positions relative to the press faces corresponding to the waist buck assembly positions as the waist buck assembly is moved between its dressing and pressing positions.

2. A pants press combination according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate element support means includes a second parallel arm linkage connected at opposite ends respectively between the element and the frame and is extended transverse to the path of movement of the buck assembly.

3. A pants press combination according to claim 1, wherein two grippers are provided, one for each'pants leg, wherein a separate parallel arm linkage is connected between each gripper and the intermediate element, wherein yoke means is connected between the gripper arm linkages, and wherein the power means acts between the intermediate element and the yoke means, whereby differences as between the full length of the legs of a pair of pants are accommodated automatically.

4. A pants press according to claim 1, further including brake means to hold the gripper arm linkage and intermediate element rotatably fixed relative to one another suitable to maintain the distance between the waist buck assembly and gripper fixed, and means for operating the brake means.

5. A pants press according to claim 1, wherein the buck assembly has nestable outer and inner bucks, means pivotally supporting the inner buck at a single intermediate location, and means to move the supporting means relative to the outer buck operable to move the inner buck between a dressing position nested within the outer buck and a pressing position withdrawn from and rotated relative to the outer buck until pants thereon are drawn tight.

6. A pants press combination according to claim 5, further including clamps mounted to move against the outer buck, power means for urging the clamps against the outer buck with varying degrees of force including a first moderate force condition suitable to allow pants to be dressed thereunder and a second high force condition suitable for firmly holding the pants as dressed, and means for energizing the power means to the high force clamping condition when the inner buck supporting means is operable to move the inner buck to the pressing position.

7. A pants press combination according to claim 1, further including a fly, press supported on the buck assembly to move from a dressing position offset from the buck to a pressing position opposing the buck, and means linking the fly press to the frame to tie the fly press movement in corresponding unison to the buck assembly movement between the dressing and pressing positions.

8. A pants press combination, comprising a frame, opposed press faces supported by the frame, a track on the frame extended generally front to rear of the press between the press faces. a carriage supported to ride along the frame track, a buck assembly supported on the carriage to move between a pressing position aligned with the press faces and a dressing position forwardly otTset from the press faces, a fly press head, a track on the carriage extended generally at an angle to the frame track, a follower supported to ride along the carriage track and connected to the press head operable to move the press head between a pressing position opposing the buck assembly and a dressing position offset from the buck assembly, and means linking the follower to the frame operable to tie movement of the buck carriage between its dressing and pressing positions to corresponding movement of the press head between its dressing and pressing positions.

9. A pants press combination according to claim 8, further including power means for moving the carriage and fly press head follower as tied along the respective tracks, and power means for urging the fly press head against the buck effective in the press head pressing position.

10. A pants press combination according to claim 8, wherein the buck assembly includes an outer buck and an inner buck nestable therein, the outer buck being secured rigidly to the carriage and the inner buck being mounted by appropriate means from the carriage to move relative to the outer buck between a dressing position nested within the outer buck and a pressing position withdrawn from the outer buck until pants thereon are drawn tight.

11. A pants press combination according to claim 10, wherein the inner buck mounting means includes a support that moves toward and away from the outer buck and a single pivot connection between the support and the inner buck at an intermediate location on said inner buck.

12. A pants press combination according to claim 8, further including a lap clamp mounted to move against the outer buck, and power means including a control for urging the clamp against the outer buck with varying degrees of force including a first moderate force condition suitable to allow pants to be dressed thereunder and a second high force condition suitable for firmly holding the pants as dressed.

13. A pants press combination according to claim 12, further including a power means for urging the fly press head against the buck effective in the press head pressing position, and control means operable to move the clamp to a third condition elevated completely off the outer buck when the fly press head power means is energized.

14. A pants press combination, comprising a waist buck assembly including an outer buck and an inner buck capable of nesting within the outer buck, means supporting the inner buck to move between a dressing position nested within the outer buck and an extended position withdrawn from the outer buck, whereby the open waist portion of a pair of pants can fit over the outer buck and nested inner buck when the latter is in the dressing position, means urging the inner buck then to the extended position to draw the pants tightly over the bucks, and said supporting means including a single pivotal connection of the inner buck at a location intermediate the waist and seat portions of the buck, so that the inner buck can rotate as required relative to the outer buck in the pressing position so as to draw both the waist and seat of the pants tightly.

15. A pants press combination according to claim 14, further including a lap clamp mounted to move against the outer buck with a first moderate force suitable to allow pants to be dressed thereunder, means for urging the clamp against the outer buck with a much larger force suitable for firmly holding the pants as dressed, and a control to operate the clamp urging means and the inner buck urging means together.

16. A pants press combination according to claim 15, further including a fly press head and actuating means to move the press head against the outer buck, and control means operable to elevate the clamp completely off the outer buck when the fly press head is against the outer buck.

17. A pants press combination according to claim 14, further including a leg gripper and support means therefor that move the gripper toward and away from the waist buck assembly between a dressing position close to the waist buck assembly and second position further spaced from the waist buck assembly where the pants leg is drawn lengthwise to full length, the support means including an intermediate element and a parallel arm linkage connected between the intermediate element and gripper and extended generally transverse to the pants legs as drawn to full length, and power means operable between the intermediate element and linkage for moving the gripper.

18. A pants press combination according to claim 14, further including a leg gripper and support means therefor that move the gripper toward and away from the waist buck assembly between a dressing position close to the waist buck assembly and a second position further spaced from the waist buck assembly where the pants legs are drawn lengthwise to full length, the gripper including a pair of narrow bladelike fingers extended toward the waist buck assembly adapted to fit within the open leg of the pants, and power means for moving the fingers apart with an adjustable force to tension the leg and thereby grip same.

19. A pants press combination, comprising a frame, a waist buck assembly supported by the frame operable to receive the open waist portion of a pair of pants, clamp means carried by the buck assembly operable to be biased thereagainst to hold the pants as dressed on the buck assembly, grippers suitable to be secured to the legs of the pants dressed on the buck assembly, support means for the grippers including an intermediate element supported relative to the frame and a pair of parallel arm linkages pivoted between the intermediate element and each gripper and extended generally transverse to the legs, and power means operable between the intermediate element and the grippers arm linkages for moving the grippers between a dressing position close to the buck assembly and a second position spaced further from the buck assembly until the pants legs are drawn lengthwise to full length.

20. A pants press combination according to claim 19, further including means to support the buck assembly to move relative to the frame between a dressing position and a finishing position, further including means to support the intermediate element to move relative to the frame generally in a like direction as the buck assembly movement to move the grippers thereby between a dressing position and a finishing position. means linking the buck assembly and intermediate element support means to tie the movements of the buck assembly and grippers together between the corresponding dressing and finishing positions, and second power means for moving the linked together buck assembly and grippers.

21. A pants press combination according to claim 20, further including control means having a pair of actuating elements which when actuated individually energizes the first mentioned power means to move the grippers to the second position and which when actuated concurrently energizes the first mentioned power means to move the grippers to the second position and further energizes the second power means to move the linked together buck assembly and grippers to the pressing position.

22. A pants press combination according to claim 20, further providing a leg buck connected to the frame by a pair of nonparallel arms suitable to move between an inoperative position spaced from the buck assembly and an operative position disposed between the legs of the pants dressed on the buck assembly and grippers and closely adjacent the buck assembly, and third power means for moving the leg buck to the operative position after the buck assembly is moved to its finishing position.

23. A pants press combination according to claim 20, further including a blower and means to power same, conduit means defining a passage from the outlet of the blower formed in the frame and in the buck assembly for delivering air to the buck assembly, and said conduit means including a separable joint having cooperating annular faces on the frame and buck assembly each circumferentially of the passage and abutted to define the passage only when the buck assembly is in the pressing position and each sloping at an angle relative to the movement of the buck assembly.

24. A pants press combination, comprising a frame, opposed press faces supported by the frame, a waist buck assembly, means supporting the buck assembly to move relative to the frame between a dressing position forwardly offset from the press faces and a pressing position between the press faces, said buck assembly including inner and outer bucks and means supporting one buck to move relative to the other buck between a dressing position whereby the open waist portion of a pair of pants can fit over the bucks and an extended position, a clamp mounted to move against the outer buck with a first moderate force suitable to allow pants to be dressed thereunder, means urging the clamp against the outer buck with a much larger force suitable for firmly holding the pants as dressed, means urging the bucks to the extended position to draw the pants tightly over the bucks, means to operate the clamp urging means and the inner buck urging means concurrently, a pants leg gripper, means supporting the gripper to move relative to the buck assembly between a dressing position close to the buck assembly and a second position spaced further therefrom whereat the pants leg is drawn lengthwise to full length, means also for moving the gripper relative to the frame between a dressing position forwardly offset from the press faces and a second position between the press faces correspondingly as the buck assembly is moved between its dressing and pressing positions, a fly press head, means supporting the fly press head to move between a pressing position opposing and engaging the buck assembly and pressing the pants and a dressing position offset from the buck assembly, means linking the press head to the frame operable to tie movement of the buck assembly between its dressing and pressing positions to corresponding movement of the press head between its dressing and pressing positions, and means to elevate the clamp from the outer buck when the fly press head is against the buck assembly.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 578 790 Dated y 18 1971 David L. Radford et a1. Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Claim 15, Column 12, line 24, after "buck" insert means for urging the clamp against the outer buck Signed and sealed this 7th day of September 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

E Q J ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attest ng Officer Acting Commissioner of Patents FORM Po-mso [10-69) USCOMM DC sows p59 R US GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFTCE I959 6-366-Jll 

1. A pants press combination, comprising a frame, opposed press faces supported by the frame, a waist buck assembly, means supporting the waist buck assembly to move relative to the frame between a dressing position forwardly offset from the press faces and a pressing position between the press faces, a pants leg gripper, an intermediate element and a parallel arm linkage connected at opposite ends respectively, between the element and the gripper and extended transverse to the pants leg, power means operable between the intermediate element and arm linkage for moving the gripper between a dressing position close to the waist buck and a pressing position spaced further therefrom whereat the pants leg is drawn lengthwise to full length, means for supporting the intermediate element to move relative to the frame in a direction generally like that of the waist buck assembly, and means mechanically linking the waist buck assembly to the intermediate element effective to move the gripper to positions relative to the press faces corresponding to the waist buck assembly positions as the waist buck assembly is moved between its dressing and pressing positions.
 2. A pants press combination according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate element support means includes a second parallel arm linkage connected at opposite ends respectively between the element and the frame and is extended transverse to the path of movement of the buck assembly.
 3. A pants press combination according to claim 1, wherein two grippers are provided, one for each pants leg, wherein a separate parallel arm linkage is connected between each gripper and the intermediate element, wherein yoke means is connected between the gripper arm linkages, and wherein the power means acts between the intermediate element and the yoke means, whereby differences as between the full length of the legs of a pair of pants are accommodated automatically.
 4. A pants press according to claim 1, further including brake means to hold the gripper arm linkage and intermediate element rotatably fixed relative to one another suitable to maintain the distance between the waist buck assembly and gripper fixed, and means for operating the brake means.
 5. A pants press according to claim 1, wherein the buck assembly has nestable outer and inner bucks, means pivotally supporting the inner buck at a single intermediate location, and means to move the supporting means relative to the outer buck operable to move the inner buck between a dressing position nested within the outer buck and a pressing position withdrawn from and rotated relative to the outer buck until pants thereon are drawn tight.
 6. A pants press combination according to claim 5, further including clamps mounted to move against the outer buck, power means for urging the clamps against the outer buck with varying degrees of force including a first moderate force condition suitable to allow pants to be dressed thereunder and a second high force condition suitable for firmly holding the pants as dressed, and means for energizing the power means to the high force clamping condition when the inner buck supporting means is operable to move the inner buck to the pressing position.
 7. A pants press combination according to claim 1, further including a fly press supported on the buck assembly to move from a dressing position offset from the buck to a pressing position opposing the buck, and means linking the fly press to the frame to tie the fly press movement in corresponding unison to the buck assembly movement between the dressing and pressing positions.
 8. A pants press combination, comprising a frame, opposed press faces supported by the frame, a track on the frame extended generally front to rear of the press between the press faces, a carriage supported to ride along the frame track, a buck assembly supported on the carriage to move between a pressing position aligned with the press faces and a dressing position forwardly offset from the press faces, a fly press head, a track on the carriage extended generally at an angle to the frame track, a follower supported to ride along the carriage track and connected to the press head operable to move the press head between a pressing position opposing the buck assembly and a dressing position offset from the Buck assembly, and means linking the follower to the frame operable to tie movement of the buck carriage between its dressing and pressing positions to corresponding movement of the press head between its dressing and pressing positions.
 9. A pants press combination according to claim 8, further including power means for moving the carriage and fly press head follower as tied along the respective tracks, and power means for urging the fly press head against the buck effective in the press head pressing position.
 10. A pants press combination according to claim 8, wherein the buck assembly includes an outer buck and an inner buck nestable therein, the outer buck being secured rigidly to the carriage and the inner buck being mounted by appropriate means from the carriage to move relative to the outer buck between a dressing position nested within the outer buck and a pressing position withdrawn from the outer buck until pants thereon are drawn tight.
 11. A pants press combination according to claim 10, wherein the inner buck mounting means includes a support that moves toward and away from the outer buck and a single pivot connection between the support and the inner buck at an intermediate location on said inner buck.
 12. A pants press combination according to claim 8, further including a lap clamp mounted to move against the outer buck, and power means including a control for urging the clamp against the outer buck with varying degrees of force including a first moderate force condition suitable to allow pants to be dressed thereunder and a second high force condition suitable for firmly holding the pants as dressed.
 13. A pants press combination according to claim 12, further including a power means for urging the fly press head against the buck effective in the press head pressing position, and control means operable to move the clamp to a third condition elevated completely off the outer buck when the fly press head power means is energized.
 14. A pants press combination, comprising a waist buck assembly including an outer buck and an inner buck capable of nesting within the outer buck, means supporting the inner buck to move between a dressing position nested within the outer buck and an extended position withdrawn from the outer buck, whereby the open waist portion of a pair of pants can fit over the outer buck and nested inner buck when the latter is in the dressing position, means urging the inner buck then to the extended position to draw the pants tightly over the bucks, and said supporting means including a single pivotal connection of the inner buck at a location intermediate the waist and seat portions of the buck, so that the inner buck can rotate as required relative to the outer buck in the pressing position so as to draw both the waist and seat of the pants tightly.
 15. A pants press combination according to claim 14, further including a lap clamp mounted to move against the outer buck with a first moderate force suitable to allow pants to be dressed thereunder, means for urging the clamp against the outer buck with a much larger force suitable for firmly holding the pants as dressed, and a control to operate the clamp urging means and the inner buck urging means together.
 16. A pants press combination according to claim 15, further including a fly press head and actuating means to move the press head against the outer buck, and control means operable to elevate the clamp completely off the outer buck when the fly press head is against the outer buck.
 17. A pants press combination according to claim 14, further including a leg gripper and support means therefor that move the gripper toward and away from the waist buck assembly between a dressing position close to the waist buck assembly and second position further spaced from the waist buck assembly where the pants leg is drawn lengthwise to full length, the support means including an intermediate element and a parallel arm linkage connected between the intermediate element aNd gripper and extended generally transverse to the pants legs as drawn to full length, and power means operable between the intermediate element and linkage for moving the gripper.
 18. A pants press combination according to claim 14, further including a leg gripper and support means therefor that move the gripper toward and away from the waist buck assembly between a dressing position close to the waist buck assembly and a second position further spaced from the waist buck assembly where the pants legs are drawn lengthwise to full length, the gripper including a pair of narrow bladelike fingers extended toward the waist buck assembly adapted to fit within the open leg of the pants, and power means for moving the fingers apart with an adjustable force to tension the leg and thereby grip same.
 19. A pants press combination, comprising a frame, a waist buck assembly supported by the frame operable to receive the open waist portion of a pair of pants, clamp means carried by the buck assembly operable to be biased thereagainst to hold the pants as dressed on the buck assembly, grippers suitable to be secured to the legs of the pants dressed on the buck assembly, support means for the grippers including an intermediate element supported relative to the frame and a pair of parallel arm linkages pivoted between the intermediate element and each gripper and extended generally transverse to the legs, and power means operable between the intermediate element and the grippers arm linkages for moving the grippers between a dressing position close to the buck assembly and a second position spaced further from the buck assembly until the pants legs are drawn lengthwise to full length.
 20. A pants press combination according to claim 19, further including means to support the buck assembly to move relative to the frame between a dressing position and a finishing position, further including means to support the intermediate element to move relative to the frame generally in a like direction as the buck assembly movement to move the grippers thereby between a dressing position and a finishing position, means linking the buck assembly and intermediate element support means to tie the movements of the buck assembly and grippers together between the corresponding dressing and finishing positions, and second power means for moving the linked together buck assembly and grippers.
 21. A pants press combination according to claim 20, further including control means having a pair of actuating elements which when actuated individually energizes the first mentioned power means to move the grippers to the second position and which when actuated concurrently energizes the first mentioned power means to move the grippers to the second position and further energizes the second power means to move the linked together buck assembly and grippers to the pressing position.
 22. A pants press combination according to claim 20, further providing a leg buck connected to the frame by a pair of nonparallel arms suitable to move between an inoperative position spaced from the buck assembly and an operative position disposed between the legs of the pants dressed on the buck assembly and grippers and closely adjacent the buck assembly, and third power means for moving the leg buck to the operative position after the buck assembly is moved to its finishing position.
 23. A pants press combination according to claim 20, further including a blower and means to power same, conduit means defining a passage from the outlet of the blower formed in the frame and in the buck assembly for delivering air to the buck assembly, and said conduit means including a separable joint having cooperating annular faces on the frame and buck assembly each circumferentially of the passage and abutted to define the passage only when the buck assembly is in the pressing position and each sloping at an angle relative to the movement of the buck assembly.
 24. A pants press combination, comprising a frame, opposed Press faces supported by the frame, a waist buck assembly, means supporting the buck assembly to move relative to the frame between a dressing position forwardly offset from the press faces and a pressing position between the press faces, said buck assembly including inner and outer bucks and means supporting one buck to move relative to the other buck between a dressing position whereby the open waist portion of a pair of pants can fit over the bucks and an extended position, a clamp mounted to move against the outer buck with a first moderate force suitable to allow pants to be dressed thereunder, means urging the clamp against the outer buck with a much larger force suitable for firmly holding the pants as dressed, means urging the bucks to the extended position to draw the pants tightly over the bucks, means to operate the clamp urging means and the inner buck urging means concurrently, a pants leg gripper, means supporting the gripper to move relative to the buck assembly between a dressing position close to the buck assembly and a second position spaced further therefrom whereat the pants leg is drawn lengthwise to full length, means also for moving the gripper relative to the frame between a dressing position forwardly offset from the press faces and a second position between the press faces correspondingly as the buck assembly is moved between its dressing and pressing positions, a fly press head, means supporting the fly press head to move between a pressing position opposing and engaging the buck assembly and pressing the pants and a dressing position offset from the buck assembly, means linking the press head to the frame operable to tie movement of the buck assembly between its dressing and pressing positions to corresponding movement of the press head between its dressing and pressing positions, and means to elevate the clamp from the outer buck when the fly press head is against the buck assembly. 